A62047:255
The fading of the flesh and flourishing of faith, or, One cast for eternity…
The fading of the flesh and flourishing of faith, or, One cast for eternity with the only way to throw it well : as also the gracious persons incomparable portion / by George Swinnock ...The fading of the flesh and flourishing of faith, or, One cast for eternity with the only way to throw it vvell : as also the gracious persons incomparable portion / by George Swinnock ...
London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1662
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The second Means.
1Secondly, Mortify thy affections more to the World and all its comforts. They who love the World most, leave it worst. Lots Wife lingered in Sodom so much, and was so loth to depart, because she loved it overmuch. When boards lye close one upon another they are easily parted, ⟨p. 89⟩but when they are glued one to another twill cost some trouble and pains. If thy heart be loose to the World, twill be a small matter to thee to leave it, but if thou art fastened to it in thy affections, twill not be done without much reluctancy and opposition.
1Secondly, Mortifie thy affections more to the World and all its comforts. They who love the World most, leave it worst. Lots Wife lingered in Sodom so much, and was so loth to depart, because she loved it overmuch. When boards lye close one upon another they are easily parted, ⟨p. 89⟩but when they are glewed one to another twill cost some trouble and pains. If thy heart be loose to the World, twill be a small matter to thee to leave it, but if thou art fastened to it in thy affections, twill not be done without much reluctancy and opposition.
- 12 Wean thy heart from the World.
The Wife who hath been so faithful to her Husband, as to keep her heart wholly for him, is ready always to open the Door to him; when she that entertaineth other Lovers, though her Husband knock at the Door, dares not run presently to open it, but first makes a shuffling and bustling up and down to hide, or get them out of the way. The more thy affections are set on Christ, thy true Husband, the more the World is taken out of thee; and so the more easily wilt thou be taken out of the World. He who hath laid up his heart in Heaven will comfortably think of laying down his head in the Earth. When the pins of the Watch are taken out (which held it together) how easily doth it fall in pieces? When thy affections from these things below are removed, how quickly, how quietly will thy soul and body fall asunder? If the World be as loose to thee as thy Cloak, thou canst put it off at pleasure, but if it be as close to thee as thy skin, they shall have somewhat to do who shall persuade thee to part with it. We read of some unwilling to dye, for they had treasure in the field,